Saturday, June 26, 2010

Top 10 Favorite Movie Cars

Not long after I published my post on my top 10 fave car chases Mrs. Kyality challenged me to come up with my top 10 favorite movie cars. Here's what I've got, hope you like it. Top 10 favorite TV cars coming soon!10. "The Tumbler" – Batman Begins/The Dark Knight
Leave it to Christopher Nolan to create a believable series reboot where the origins of the Batmobile stem from a fa-reaking tank! Sure, many Batmobile purists were borderline offended that Bruce Wayne wasn't modifying some sports car—but there's still room for that in the third installment—remember this one sustained "catastrophic damage" and Batman ejected via the Batpod. The best part about this vehicle is that it works and is real. Nolan refused to rely on CG and therefore The Tumbler makes the cut.

9. 1961 Ferrari 250 GT
Ferris Bueller's Day Off
I was introduced to this movie unbeknownst to my parents at a fairly young age by family friends—you know—one of those defining childhood moments. And from that point on, I've ALWAYS wanted to steal a red convertible from my friend's parents' mid-century modern home. Seriously, who hasn't thought that after watching this flick? And no, running a car in reverse does NOT remove its miles.

8. 1932 Ford Coupe
American Graffiti
Before George Lucas' characters were piloting the Millennium Falcon, they were rollin' in a yellow Deuce Coupe. In his coming-of-age masterpiece he lays forth a language of roguish heros, unsuspecting protagonists and high-powered chases told through a series of vignettes, featuring a group of teenagers and their cars within a single night in August 1962. Here's some Lucas trivia for ya, the hot rod's license plate reads: THX 138. Nice little bit of intertextuality.

7. 1973 (Australian) Ford Falcon
Mad Max/The Road Warrior
As a teenager, I discovered the sci-fi section of the Video Bin, a video rental joint a mile or two from my home. I began combing through the classics, everything from Planet of the Apes to 2001: A Space Odyssey. I also came across the Australian series based around Mad Max and his pre- and post-apocalyptic adventures. This car has become the pinnacle of road rage rat rods and has been alluded to by many including filmmakers like Tarantino and the like.

6. "Eleanor" 1967 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500
Gone In Sixty Seconds
Okay. I admit it. This one might be the odd-ball out in this list. The remake of Gone in 60 Seconds kinda sucks. But there had to be a Mustang in the list and since I gave Bullitt the No. 1 spot in the car chase list, I felt that this car could effectively represent the pony-car segment. Plus, let's face it—it's a gorgeous car and ANY automotive enthusiast can instantly identify her by name.

5. "The Dragonfly-mobile" Modified 1968 Citroën DS
CQ
Roman Coppala's fun homage to pulpy late 60's sci-fi flicks like Barbarella and Danger: Diabolik features a sweet little chase scene with one of filmdom's lesser-known movie cars: The Dragonfly-mobile. The second I saw this flick, I noted this car as one of the greats. It's quick, it's European and no car has been better suited for an actress/model like Angela Lindvall to rally in.

4. 1964 Aston Martin DB5
Goldfinger
My dad, Normality, had a die-cast model of this car sitting on his dresser throughout my entire childhood. And let's be brutally honest for a moment—no other vehicle within the longest movie franchise ever has even come close to its iconic image, barrage of gadgets or pure, classy cool factor. Not a one. This car will forever be THE definitive spy car, ejector seat and all.

3. "The Jaguar Hearse" 1971 Jaguar XK-E
Harold and Maude
Mrs. Kyality introduced me to this quirky flick in which Harold a morbid 19 year-old played by a young Bud Cort falls in love with a happy-go-lucky 79 year-old played by an old Ruth Gordon. In the film, Harold who drives a hearse for fun is given an amazing silver 1971 Jaguar XK-E as a gift to help him cheer up. He takes a look at the sports car and a look at the hearse and a few tools sounds later we have one of film's most beautiful and unique movie cars. This car has definitely influenced my tastes as two of my own cars have been described as being similar to it. Namely this one and this one. This movie also has an amazing soundtrack by Cat Stevens.

2. Tim Burton's "Batmobile"
Batman/Batman Returns
This one was a tough one to not put in the No. 1 slot. Even the classic Batman fans admit this is easily the most beautiful Batmobile to date. But is it my favorite movie car? That was the question. I was 12 years-old when Tim Burton re-imagined Batman for the masses. I saw it on opening night and I vividly remember Michael Keaton as Batman saying, "Get in the car" and Vicki Vale replying: "Which one?" The crowd went insane at the first glimpse of this vehicle and it's been one of the definitive Batmobiles ever since.

1. "Doc's Time Machine" 1981 DeLorean DMC-12
Back to the Future
All I have to say is this: not only does this car's stainless steel construction make flux dispersal possible, if you're gonna build a time machine into a car, why not do it with some style? The DeLorean as a car was always trying way too hard to be cool. The DeLorean as a time machine on the other hand is as cool as cool gets. You don't even need to have seen the movie to know that this thing could easily set your tire tracks on fire and catapult you throughout the space/time continuum.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Another Year, Another Awesome F-Day

Mrs. Kyality and the Kyality Kids out did themselves this year for Father's Day. I scored a rad amp stack tee, Monty Python and The Holy Grail on DVD and for all you 50 Dresses That Changed The World fans out there—I got the newest installment from the Design Museum—50 Cars That Changed The World. This brilliantly designed book contains gems such as: the Citroën DS, the BMW 3 Series, the original Land Rover and of course the original Mini. Pretty aws.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Not Retro, Original

In 2008, BMW recreated it's 1972 2002 tii to pimp the release of it's 1-Series tii Concept. Most folks just wished they'd just re-release the original rather than simply give a new model a retro name. Specialized has done just that.

Specialized has re-released their classic Reynolds 520 frame and dubbed it the 2010 Langster Steel Frameset. This is not retro, it's the original created once more—and it comes it white. Check out this totally beautiful and inspirational rendition pictured above. I love the simplicity and cleanliness of this little whip.

Friday, June 11, 2010

This Is Not a Joke

Apparently MINI (and their friends at BSSP) has challenged Porsche to a race... a race with a 911 nonetheless. Here's what they have to say about it:

We have challenged the Porsche 911 to a race. Why? Maybe it's because we're tired of them always getting the best valet parking spots right out in front. Maybe it's because their owners wear too many pastel-colored sweaters draped over their shoulders. Or maybe it's because we're just plain crazy. Whatever the reason, we've challenged Porsche to race their 911 Carrera S against our MINI Cooper S. We've picked a fight with Goliath.


Pretty awesome. Though I choose not to Facebook, you can sign the petition to encourage Porsche to accept the challenge here.

UPDATE: Looks like Porsche has already declined. Bogus.

Wednesday, June 09, 2010

To Fix or Not to Fix

I came across this bike, the GT Gutterball, while grabbing some more not-so-thorn-resistant tubes at my local (mostly mountain) bike shop. The entire staff was stoked that someone was actually interested in one of their non-mountain bike models. They made me take it for a spin—riding fixed takes some getting used to for sure. I almost got bucked! And then they offered me a hefty discount. I was seriously tempted—then I went on a ride on the Sirrus with Upto12 in Yosemite last week and was definitely grateful for the gears.

It's a beautiful bike—whaddya think?